Disintegration Schemes of Radioactive Substances. IV.Fe59

Abstract

The mode of disintegration of the 47-day isotope of iron ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{59}$ has been investigated by spectrometer and coincidence techniques. The beta-ray spectrum is complex, consisting of two components of approximately equal intensity with end points 0.257±0.008 Mev and 0.460±0.007 Mev. The low energy group is accompanied by gamma-rays of energy 1.30±0.02 Mev, and the high energy group by gamma-rays of energy 1.10±0.02 Mev. No beta-rays of energy greater than 0.460 Mev are present to as much as 0.25 percent of the main group. The yield of ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{59}$ from an iron target bombarded by 12-Mev deuterons is 0.05 microcurie per microampere hour. Methods of purification and preparation are described.